TAXPAYERS in Trowbridge have been left confused and angered by the bills dropping through their doors this week.

The figure appearing on the bills as the percentage rise for the town council precept part of the tax is 73.8 per cent, despite councillors agreeing a rise of 48.1 per cent.

The confusion has arisen because of changes in the way the tax is broken down on the bill.

In previous years a separate charge was levied on the people of Trowbridge for the upkeep of the town's museum, in The Shires shopping centre. This year for the first time this has been incorporated into the town precept figure.

Of the 73.8 per cent, 17.9 per cent relates to the museum, 46.3 per cent to the civic buildings capital fund created to try and refurbish the Town Hall and the remaining 9.6 per cent to cover the general increase in council expenditure.

The rise takes the amount being collected for the town council to more than is going to West Wiltshire District Council or the police and fire brigade. The town council has assured the public the additional payment for the Town Hall will be collected for one year only.